William Hinde

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameWilliam Robert Norris•Hinde
Used nameWilliam•Hinde
Nick/petnamesLooney
Born25 June 1900 in Cupar, Scotland (GBR)
Died13 July 1981 in Salisbury, England (GBR)
NOC Great Britain
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Major-General Sir William Robert Norris Hinde, usually known as Robert, and nicknamed “Looney”, was educated at Wellington College and the Royal Military College at Sandhurst before gaining a commission into the15th Hussars in 1919. Between 1940 and 1945 he was the Commanding officer of the 15th/19th Hussars, then the 20th and 22nd Armoured Brigades and saw service in Africa, Italy and Northern Europe. After the War Hinde was posted to Germany and stayed until 1950 when he was appointed Aide-de-Camp to King George VI and then to Queen Elizabeth II. He returned to Africa in 1953 and played an active part in the fight against the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya before his eventual retirement in 1957. During his time in the Army he was honoured with the award of the Companion, Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.), was invested as a Knight Commander, Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) and was also invested as a Companion, Order of the Bath (C.B.).

As a polo player, Hinde played regularly for his Regiment and took part in both Great Britain’s matches, against Mexico and Argentina, at the 1936 Olympics as the team returned home with the silver medal. Hinde was only called into the Great Britain team the month before the Olympics after the withdrawal of Gerald Balding. Hinde reached a handicap of 6-goals.

A keen ornithologist Hinde was bird watching with field a glasses in the British zone in Berlin in 1947 when he was arrested for spying for being close to the Communist Zone, but he was quickly released, and received an apology from the Soviets.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1936 Summer Olympics Polo GBR William Hinde
Polo, Men (Olympic) Great Britain 2 Silver